Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos is a fictional semi-autobiagraphy of author, Jack Gantos's life in the summer of 1962's in Norvelt, Pennsyvania.
Sometimes a book comes along that gives the reader a peek into the lives and lifestyle of small town America as perceived by the author. In this case the main character is the author, Jack Gantos, and the facts of the story are a condensed perspective of his life growing up in the summer of 1962, in a dying mining town, during the communist red scare, and a potential mystery. What is happening to the remaining original residents of a proud mining town whose history is connected to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and her legacy of fighting big business, and even her husband, President Roosevelt, for quality living for all Americans. Could it be the Hells Angles motorcycle gang? The Communists? or maybe even Jack's own God fearing Mother who's responsible?
Dead End In Norvelt is a Newbery Medal winner that is worth the read. I had the opportunity to hear Jack Gantos speak about writing and he was a very funny guy, very spontaneous, and an entertaining speaker. I heard that he reads his own books on tape, and after hearing him speak, I can imagine how he will incorporate his own voice and passion into his stories. Check him out if you get a chance at ReadingRocket.org.
Dead End In Norvelt is a fiction story throughout, but it's fun to discover how Jack's fate gets him grounded for the summer by both his parents for firing a Japanese WWII rifle at the nearby outdoor movie screen, and this leads him into the depth of a mystery while writing obituaries for his elderly neighbor who also serves as the medical examiner in the town. Jack's character reminds me of a grown up Donald Zinkoff from Jerry Spinelli's book, Loser. I know you will enjoy this book.What author or book character would you like to meet? What makes them special?
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